HC Deb 17 March 1988 vol 129 c651W
7. Mr. Sedgemore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the convicted prisoners whose convictions were found to be unsafe following the dismissal of Dr. Alan Clift from the Home Office Forensic Service, giving in each case the date of their release.

Mr. John Patten

Nine persons in whose cases Dr. Clift gave evidence had their convictions quashed at various times between 1978 and 1984. Some were released on completion of their sentences, some on licence, and some at the time their convictions were quashed. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman with the further details which he seeks. Copies of the letter will be placed in the Library.

50. Mr. Harry Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all statements made, following the dismissal of Dr. Alan Clift, by his Department's Ministers on the safety of convictions obtained as a result of his evidence.

Mr. John Patten

Dr. Clift was prematurely retired on 1 March 1982. Since that date, Ministers of this Department have answered questions or made statements on matters related to the safety of convictions in cases in which he gave evidence on the following occasions (all references are toOfficial Report).

Date Section Column number
14 July 1983 Oral Answers 1016
1 December 1983 Oral Answers 982
19 January 1984 Oral Answers 439–440
26 January 1984 Written Answers 625–27
7 February 1984 Written Answers 518–19
(three questions)
13 February 1984 Written Answers 7
17 February 1984 Written Answers 334
(two questions)
1 March 1984 Written Answers 279–80
6 June 1984 Written Answers 170–71
21 June 1984 Written Answers 218
24 July 1984 Written Answers 586–87
31 July 1984 Written Answers 220–21
(two questions)
15 November 1984 Written Answers 303
15 November 1984 Adjournment Debate 886–94
27 November 1984 Written Answers 418–19